The methodology of the learning process combines i) theoretical classes where the teachers expose the most relevant aspects of each subject with ii) active self-learning by the students on topics of interest. The subject is based on the following activities:

• Presential lectures with ICT support explaining the basic concepts of the subject. Kahoot, among others, will be used as a game-based learning tool.
• Seminars and problem solving-oriented lectures: Presentation by the teachers of specific topics and discussion in small groups.
• Laboratory practical sessions: Acquisition of work skills in the laboratory and experimental understanding of concepts explained in pressential classes and seminars.
• Autonomous work of the students, individually or in groups, for the preparation of topics proposed by the teachers or by the students. This work involves the search and selection of information in various sources of scientific databases. Presentations are public, must include multimedia material and ICT support, and are followed by a discussion.

Some lectures may be given as flipped classes (flipped classroom), i.e., students will need to follow the corresponding video for the topic during non-presential hours, and during the class time problems will be solved and doubts will be addressed.

Questions and/or activities can be proposed through the moodle classroom (campus virtual).

Use of AI: Permitted use.

In this course, the use of AI technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a penalty in the activity grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

The maximum score is 10 points. Students will pass the subject with an overall score of 5.0 or higher.

The evaluation system is organized in three modules. The final qualification is obtained with the sum of the qualifications of the different modules, with the conditions described below.

Module 1. Theory, seminars, and problems.

- Evaluation system: test with multiple choice answers.

- Weight in the global rating: 70%.

Students may opt for partial tests. There will be two partial tests (each will have the same weight) throughout the semester. The first test will include unit 1 to approximately unit 8 (depending on the specific calendar). Part 2 includes from approximately unit 9 to the last unit. Each test will consist of approximately 25-30 test-type questions for each partial. Questions about seminars will be included.

To pass each test and remove course material, a score of 5.0 or higher (out of 10) must be obtained.

In the case of obtaining a minimum mark of 4.5 in each partial exam, the mean of the two marks will be calculated.

• If the mean of the two partial exams is equal to or greater than 5, the final score will be obtained by the sum of the average of the two partials (weight 70%), the score of the practical session exam (weight 10%) and the score of self-learning activity (20% weight). If this number is equal to or higher than 5, the grade is “Pass”. If the sum is less than 5, the final grade will be “Failed”. in the case that the mark is “Failed” but the average grade of the two exams higher or equal 5, the student may retake the test to improve the mark and to pass the subject. The student will have to agree with the teachers which partial exam is to be retaken.
• If the mean of the two partial exams is less than 5, the student will have to retake the partial/partials with a score less than 5. In case that only a partial should be retaken, the grade must be equal or higher than 4.5 (out of 10). The final mark will be calculated from the sum of the average of the two partials (weight: 70%), the mark of the practical session exam (weight: 10%) and the mark of the self-learning activity (weight: 20%). If this number is equal to or higher than 5, the grade is "Pass". If the sum is less than 5, the final grade will be "Failed".

If in the retake of the partial exam the student obtains a mark less than 4.5 (out of 10), the partial exams will not compensate and therefore, the final qualification will be Failed.

In case the student must retake the two partial exams, the exam will be of all the subject (Module 1: theory + seminars). The exam will be corrected as a single test. The minimum mark in the recovery exam must be 4.5 (out of 10). A score lower than 4.5 represents a “Failed” as the final grade.

If the mark of the retaken exam is equal to or higher than 4,5 (out of 10), the final mark will be obtained by the sum of the retake exam (weight: 70%), the mark of the practical session exam (weight: 10%) and the mark of self-learning activity (weight: 20%). If this number is equal to or greater than 5, the final grade will be “Pass”. If the sum is less than 5, the final grade will be “Failed”.

Module 2. Laboratory practices

All laboratory practices are mandatory. Students who do not complete them or do not present the poster will be qualified as "Not Presented" or "Failed", depending on their situation, regardless of the score that they have obtained in the exam.

- Assessment system: design and construction of a poster about one laboratory practice (chosen by the teacher).

- Weight in the global rating: 10% (Maximum score: 1,0).

Module 3. Self-learning activity

The self-learning activity is compulsory. If a student does not take part in it, will be graded as “Not Presented” or “Failed”, depending on their situation and regardless of the grade that has been obtained in the exam.

- Evaluation system: work presented.

- The written and oral presentation will be evaluated, as well as the competence when discussing the topic.

- Weight in the global rating: 20% (Maximum score: 2,0).

Retake exam

In the retake exam, the student will be able to take the failed partial exam or both (obligatory or voluntarily) corresponding to Module 1. The obtained mark, which will represent 70% of the final grade, will be added to the marks obtained in Modules 2 and 3 as indicated above.

Regardless of the mark obtained in the partial tests, any student may choose to attend the retake exam to obtain a higher mark. In this case, the mark will be the one from the last exam.

Not gradable

A student is not gradable if it has participated in assessment activities that represent ≤ 15% of the final grade

Single assessment

Students who take the single assessment must do the laboratory practical sessions in the in-person sessions at the time set in the calendar. Attendance and in-person presentation of the work corresponding to Module 3 (Self-Learning activity) is also mandatory, and the student will have to attend the entire session on the indicated day. The single assessment test will coincide with the same date fixed in the calendar for the last continuous assessment test. The presentation of the poster as an evaluation system for the practices and the evaluation of module 3 will take place on the day of the single assessment.

The same non-gradable criteria as for continuous assessment will be applied. The review of the final grade follows the same procedure as for the continuous assessment.

Notice

The commission of any irregularity during an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course guide) that may lead to a significant variation in the grade will result in that activity being graded with a 0. If the course guide states that obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment activity is an essential requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. In addition to this, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who engages in such irregularities.